Friday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Although humanity has experienced violence, wars, and natural disasters (not counting global climate change) for more than the two thousand years since the gospels were written, it seems we still hear (or say) the end times must be near. And as a people, don’t we like to know, to predict, to plan for and have control over our lives and future? It seems to be part of our human nature. The disciples of Jesus similarly wanted to know what to expect and when.
This week we are at the end of the liturgical year – the “new year” begins this Sunday with the start of Advent. Liturgically, this week brings us to the apocalyptic book of Daniel (in other years, the book of Revelation) and gospel readings about the end times. In today’s passage from Luke (21:29-33), Jesus uses a parable to give his disciples clues on how they will know that the Kingdom of God is near. Earlier in this chapter the disciples cut to the chase with Jesus, “what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?” And today’s passage adds the somewhat puzzling promise, “Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.”
So what do we make of this more than two thousand years later as we continue to wait for “the end times.” Well, scripture scholars tell us that Luke’s writing indicates he had come to terms with a delay of the Second Coming that early Christians had initially believed was imminent in their time (somewhat different from Mark’s gospel). Realizing that they/we do not know when the end times will occur, Luke focuses more on the importance of the day-to-day following of Jesus.
The book of Daniel was written to provide comfort and strength to the Jewish people under persecution at that time. Today’s reading is one of a series of visions that scripture scholars tell us were meant to give hope to these persecuted people. Similarly, the book of Revelation was meant to bring hope to the early Christians who were facing persecution. Rich with symbolism, their primary purpose is to proclaim God’s victory over evil. Something I find reassuring even today.
Accepting that the future is beyond our predictions and control, I appreciate Luke’s focus on following Jesus in the day-to-day realities of our lives, perhaps even letting go of the “need to know.” Advent is almost upon us, let’s ask God to prepare and open our hearts to Jesus’ coming in our midst today and every day. Amen.
—Eileen Miller